HONDA ENGINEERS SUCK!

Two years ago I was returning from Phoenix with my family at night. The
freeway was nearly deserted so I had my high beams on and was cruising at 75
mph (the speed limit). When I saw the elk in my lane ahead we were plenty
close, so I braked hard and changed lanes behind her. When I got past, I
accelerated to what I thought was 60 or 65. A moment later I looked at the
speedometer to see I was going 93 mph... the adrenaline had changed my
perception of speed so much it felt slower. Dangerous indeed.

Mike

 

My wife has 35 years spotless, and her mother died last year after more than
50 years spotless. They are/were speedometer watchers. (In case you are
wondering, I was responsible for two accidents in the early 70s - both while
I had my eyes on the road.)

Mike

 

"New" Mini. They're still a blast to drive.

-Mike

 

Welcome to the Million mile club. I too am a driver (a professional driver)
with over a million and a half miles in commercial vehicles with no
collisions or incidents, I do this for a living and for personal reasons.
That said, every professional driver knows that the key to safety is in the
operation of the vehicle within the compliance of the rules of the road and
road conditions. A speedometer is just one method to employ compliance.

Brian

 

What was dangerous? You didn't know you were doing 93 until you looked at
the speedometer. That right there tells me that you were most likely
driving in a safe, sane, reasonable manner (even if a bit above the speed
limit). When you realized you were doing 93MPH, what is it about that magic
number (93MPH) that, all by itself, makes driving dangerous? Again,
enlighten us. -Dave

 

Welcome to the Million mile club. I too am a driver (a professional

Again I will ask, if the speedometer was broken, could you not drive from
point A to point B safely? The speedometer has NO use during driving,
unless you ramble off onto a tangent about speed limits. What if all
speedometers were banned? Would you continue to drive safely for the next
million miles without it? Very Likely. I know I'd never miss it. -Dave

 

If your attention span is that limited, you have no business driving
at all.

You must be a sock puppet - I can't imagine two people coming up with
such idiotic advice independently.

 

Try navigating using directions involving mileage.

 

And you think that you know more about designing for proper handling
than the engineers who created the car?

Get real.

 

OK, then enlighten us. What does a speedometer have to do with *driving*?

Most people would use an odometer for that, or even a trip odometer. -Dave

 

I have some advice for the person that wrote that speedometers should not
be installed in cars.
I have a neighbor that checks her speedometer very often and has never
received a ticket for speeding. However, she has had 5 accidents because
she has a cell phone next to her ear every time have ever seen her driving
her car. I think that you should subscribe to a cell phone newsgroup and
let those people know that it's dangerous to drive while talking on a cell
phone. I should note that I check my speedometer on a regular basis and
have not ever had an accident that was my fault.

 

Where there is one elk there are more elk, and they all are colored to blend
into the night and are the size of horses. If I had a scare from one using
the cruise control at 75 mph, what do you suppose the effect of seeing an
elk loom in front of the car at 93 mph would be, as opposed to 60 or 65
(which I intended to be doing). 93 isn't magic, but it represents *twice*
the stopping distance of 60 mph. Dropping my speed by 30 mph made it seem
very slow to my hopped-up mind, but it was a lot safer than 90+ was.
Ignoring the speedometer could have been a very Bad Thing.

Mike

 

From the old school viewpoint, it's hard to think of them as being Minis.
Their just too big! {;^)

Brian

 

How do you measure your speed, or distance travelled? The speedometer is a
necessary part of the vehicle, whether you think so or not.

I'd rather see the fools that disregard the speed limits banned. That would
increase safety on our roads, no matter where in the world you (generic you,
not you in particular) are located.

Of course, it just wouldn't be legal to operate without a speedometer. And
(although, you seem to have a phobia agaisnt this being mentioned), there
would be more people exceeding the speed limit than there are now. This
would be due to the fact, that very few people can accurately deduce the
speed that they are travelling in a vehicle.

Well, I would. It helps keep me legal and it also helps me keep my pay
straight.

Brian

 

Your perception doesn't matter unless you're used to driving in different
conditions (meaning different perceptions depending on your excitement
level, etc.). Speedometer is not needed for that. It's useful as a testing
tool and to make sure you don't go over the speed limit. That's about it.

In fact, most race cars don't have speedometers and the drivers go much
faster than we do on the streets.

John

 

You probably drive like an old woman. (I know, very stereotypical, but it's
true. Most people who haven't had any accidents, drive like zombies and if
are ever in a situation that requires reflex/skill will get into one).

 

How many accidents have you had?

 

What the hell does that have to do with anything? I have my own preferences.
Just because the engineers know more than I do doesn't mean they did it to
my preference. I'm real. That's why I don't put my faith in other people's
hands because many times what's good for them, is not good for me.

You don't want your granny riding on a lowered rough rider now do you?
Grannys want it nice and soft, and smooth, and shakey so they don't break a
bone, etc. Get my point?

I'm stronger than the average person and I can handle rougher but more
precise handling. I want my car to behave like I want it to. If it doesn't,
there's a bigger chance that I'll get in an accident than if I was 10mph
over the speed limit 100% of the time.

Remember that those laws are made by old grannies and granpas whose
overanalytical nature makes their reflexes go to shit. That's why they need
all drivers to drive as slow as possible so when they're on the road they
can "fit in" or else they might get confused by people passing them
constantly and get scared and do something stupid. That's what order is all
about...

Anyway...

 

Now there's an asinine statement.

 

One in 1973. Not that that has anything to do with speedometers. Get on
topic.

Brian